Spring has Sprung

SPORTS HEADLINE-All across Florida and Arizona, familiar sounds fills the air. The popping of balls in gloves, the crack of the bat and the joyful murmur of fans watching their favorite Major League Baseball team in Spring Training. This is a time where fans of all teams have a renewed excitement, a fresh season full of possibilities and promise on the horizon. Last year's accomplishments are building blocks for this year and last year's disappointments are further motivation for working harder, being smarter and striving for better in the upcoming year.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-Spring training is a great metaphor for life because each morning that you rise is an opportunity to 'spring' yourself towards further and greater achievements. Every day presents you with an opportunity to build on your works that you've already done or start anew with fresh and exciting projects or ideas. We have the benefit of always being 'in season' and don't have to wait for 3 or 4 months for the chance to build on our success or reverse course on things that may not have worked in the past. Don't wait 'til next season, start your spring training today!

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

SPORTS HEADLINE-RAYS & PHILLIES SET TO FACE OFF IN 2008 WORLD SERIES
With the elimination of the defending champion Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS, the Tampa Rays clinched their first ever World Series appearance where they will face the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are making their first World Series appearance since 1993 and seeking their first win since 1980. Regardless of which team wins, a large segment of their fan base will be experiencing championship glory for the first time.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
There is just something refreshing about experiencing new things. New places to travel, new foods to experiment with, new sights and sounds to tantalize the senses. We tend to fall into and languish in comfortable routines, expecting the expected and not challenging ourselves to seek adventures outside our comfort zone. But that's where life truly is exciting, when you do things that are beyond what you'd normally do or what you're customarily comfortable doing. By expanding your horizons and putting yourself in positions to experience all that is out there, your life will be enriched in ways that are unimaginable.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Do you remember dos based computers? How about mobile phones the size of a house phone? Maybe you recall facsimile machines (before they were called just 'fax') with the roll of shiny paper? These were all inventions that were hailed as revolutionary at the time they burst onto the scene. Businesses that were early to adopt these new technologies stayed ahead of their competitors and were on the cutting edge of their industries. But the times quickly caught up and now all of those technologies have been replaced with faster, more efficient and more effective models. Staying current is a good way to get behind in the business world. You have to anticipate, stay ahead of the trends and be a leader in your industry to remain victorious in your field.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
If you have paid ANY attention to the news the past 3 weeks you're aware of what's been going on with Wall Street and the banking industry. What that tells me is that we all should be thinking of new places to save and invest. One of the best areas to have a savings account is an online savings bank. These banks usually have higher interest yields on savings, money markets and Cd's (certificates of deposit) than traditional brick and mortar banks. Having an open mind to new ideas is a good way to ensure you are able to stay ahead of the game.

GAME PLAN-
There's nothing wrong with something being 'old reliable'. The reason it's called that is because you know what to expect, you know what it will be and won't be and you can count on it. While not taking anything away from reliability, it's also vital for you to keep your spirit open to experiencing new things. There are wonderful sights, sounds, smells, tastes and adventures that we all bypass every day without giving them another thought or consideration. Embrace things that before you would shy away from or not even give a second thought. The rewards are bountiful.

NOT SAVING THEIR BEST FOR LAST

SPORTS HEADLINE-REGULAR SEASON BEST IN AL & NL ON BRINK OF ELIMINATION
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Chicago Cubs posted the most wins in their respective leagues in the 2008 MLB season. Both enter the weekend one loss away from being swept out of the first round of the playoffs.

The Angels are facing the defending world champion Boston Red Sox and after a dramatic 7-5 loss Friday night head to Boston facing the daunting task of having to sweep the Sox on their home field and come back to LA for a clinching win.

The Cubs committed 4 errors Thursday night en route to their loss to fall 2 games down to the Dodgers. Many thought this would finally be the year that long suffering Cubs fans would see their team win the World Series for the first time since 1908.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
There are times in our lives when we've all accomplished great things. You are feeling good about yourself, what you've done, the hard work it took to get there and the rewards of your accomplishment. Now keep going. Now that you've reached this goal, how can you make it a stepping stone towards the next goal? Just as games aren't won at halftime and there are no trophies for second place, life is a long marathon. Enjoy your victories along the way, but continue to press forward and strive for more greatness to come.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
The history of sports and business is filled with 'unfulfilled promise'. Teams and companies that seemed to have it all going their way with ultimate glory just at their fingertips. But a funny thing happened along the way to that ultimate glory. Something or someone broke down, exposing a fatal flaw. Fortunately in business it's rare that even if you fall short of your ultimate goal, all of the good works and efforts are for naught. See what worked and what didn't and build off of your successes.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
Just as the Cubs were their own undoing in their Game 2 loss by making errors in the field, you can cause yourself undue financial stress and strain by ignoring solid financial fundamentals and making errors in judgment. While you may not be able to immediately recover from errors that you've made, by getting back to the fundamentals and sticking to those principles, you will ultimately end up victorious.

GAME PLAN-
In sports there is only one champion at the end of each season. One team that had it all come together, either dominant throughout the year or getting hot at the right time or a magical performance for the ages that culminates in a championship. Every team strives to be that champion when the season begins but only one reaches that pinnacle. The difference between jubilation and disappointment can be such a slim margin do all that you can not to sabotage your victory. Focus on your fundamentals, don't rest on your laurels and persevere until you've reached the top!

SPORTS HEADLINE-YANKEE STADIUM CLOSES ITS DOORS FOR THE FINAL TIME
One of the grandest stages in all of sports has held it's last performance. The home of the most storied franchise in all of sports history, the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, hosted it's final game Sunday afternoon in Manhattan. After 85 years of being home to some of the greatest names in baseball history from Ruth to Gehrig to Berra to Mantle to DiMaggio to Jackson to Jeter, the time had come to replace the old stadium with a brand new, state of the art facility being built in an adjacent parking lot.

Sunday evening represented a celebration of baseball history. A gala that brought together Yankees from throughout the years to reminice and celebrate championships and memories of the past while preparing to usher in the new stadium in 2009.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
We are all in such a rush these days to do everything in life faster, smarter, more efficiently that sometimes we lose sight of where we have been. It's very humbling and grounding to take some time every once and a while to reflect back on our own personal history to see where we've come from. In good times, reflect on the struggles you've had to overcome to get to where you are today. In bad times, look back at times of celebration for spiritual edification, but also look back upon when you've been able to emerge from struggle for inspiration. The old saying goes, those that choose not to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
One of the reasons that the Yankees have had such success over the decades is what they call the 'Yankee Way'. Now there is no written definition of the Yankee Way but it's a culture that is ingrained in the organization. There's a certain level of expectations, a certain level of professionalism, a certain standard of excellence that is just a given when wearing the pinstripes. In your business, what is your 'Way'? What are the core beliefs you seek in your business practices and employees? Establish your own winning culture and make that permeate all aspects of what you do and watch the results!

PERSONAL FINANCES-
If you follow baseball at all, you know the Yankees aren't afraid to spend money! They consistently have the highest payroll in baseball and for decades have the on field results to justify it. Sometimes in life you've got to spend money to make money. The wisest investments they've made have also been some of the safest. Traditionally, it's going to be more beneficial for you to invest your money in stable, long term vehicles (stocks, bonds, CDs) than the latest, greatest booming trend. Making decisions based on today's news means you've missed yesterday's boat. The big money is already been made in most cases before you get a chance to jump in. There's always merit in taking a smart risk with a small percentage of your portfolio, but avoid the danger of trying to hit a major league home run with a wiffle ball bat.

GAME PLAN-
Take some time today to reflect on days past. What's been good and what's been bad? There have been great people who have entered your 'stadium' throughout your life, celebrate them with a quick phone call or e-mail to let them know how much you appreciate and revere them. Establish your winning ways in life, in business and in your finances. Start your personal dynasty today!